Introductory description

The main purpose of the module is to explore the political and economic dimensions of European integration. We will be asking many questions about the nature of European integration. Issues to be covered range from the history of the European integration project, the role of the EU institutions, theories of European integration, EU policies (including the Eurozone crisis).

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Week 1 Introduction
Week 2 Reconstructing 'Europe': Motives for Integration
Week 3 The Evolution of the EU: Key Moments
Week 4 The European Institutions
Week 5 The Activism of the European Court of Justice
Week 6 Reading Week
Week 7 A Toolkit for Understanding the EU: Grand Theories of European Integration
Week 8 Member States in Processes of Europeanisation and Multi-Level Governance
Week 9 The Euro: Monetary Politics and European Integration
Week 10 Europe of the Regions: Cohesion and Sub-National Activism

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• demonstrate an appreciation of the historical context of European integration and the significance of the EU
• critically discuss the characteristics of the EU's governance framework in relation to the key themes covered
• assess the strengths and weaknesses of the key theoretical debates governing the nature of European integration and the EU as a global actor
• critically analyse, both orally and in writing, the current issues facing the EU in important policy areas

Indicative reading list

Bache, I. George, S. & Bulmer, S. Politics in the European Union, 3rd edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011.
Bomberg, E., Peterson, J. and Stubb, A. (eds), The European Union: How Does it Work?, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2nd edition, 2008
Cini, M & Borragan, N.P-S. (eds.), European Union Politics, 3rd edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010
Dedman, M., The Origins and Development of the European Union 1945-2008 - A History of European Integration, 2nd edition, London: Routledge, 2010.
Jorgensen, K.E. Pollack, M. & Rosamond, B. Handbook of European Union Politics, London: Sage, 2007.
Hill, C. and Smith, M. (eds), International Relations and the European Union, 2nd edition, Oxford; Oxford University Press, 2011.
McCormick, J. (eds.), Understanding the European Union, 4th edition, New York: Palgrave, 2008. Eilstrup-Sangiovanni, M. (ed.), Debates on European Integration: a reader, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2006.
Nugent N., The Government and Politics of the European Union, 7th edition, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010
Rosamond, B., Theories of European Integration, Basingstoke: Macmillan, 2000.
Wallace, H., Pollack, A.M. & Young, R.A. (eds.), Policy-Making in the European Union, 6th edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010.
Wiener, A. & Diez, T., European Integration Theory, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2nd edition, 2009.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Research element

Students write a research essay in this module.

International

The topics covered in this module are all international in scope.

This 15 CAT version is available only to PAIS students chosen for the Hong Kong exchange.

Subject specific skills

Theoretical and analytical skills in understanding the topic of European integration

Transferable skills

Communication skills
Lateral thinking skills
Skills in the distillation and application of complex information and ideas
Critical thinking
Analytical skills
Independent research skills
Problem solving
Time management
Skills in academic practice
Awareness of, and sensitivity to, diversity
Decision making
Educational self-awareness skills